Meet the new Look G85 CezalRS: High-modulus carbon, 1000g frame, race-ready geometry, and pro-developed by Russell Finsterwald. Specs, versions, and prices.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE IN 3 LINES (For those in a rush)
Pure racing DNA: Developed alongside pro gravel rider Russell Finsterwald (winner of the Belgian Waffle Ride Arizona), the new G85 CezalRS merges elite road-cycling precision with rough-terrain compliance.
Lighter and stiffer: A brand-new high-modulus (HM) carbon layup shaves 200 grams off the frame (tipping the scales at 1,000g in size M) while boosting headtube rigidity by 20% and bottom bracket stiffness by 19%.
Compromise-free geometry: Short 425mm chainstays, massive tire clearance (up to 57mm front / 50mm rear in 1x), and the 3D Wave Flex System to filter out chatter without losing a single watt of power.
In the gravel world, where the overarching trend pushes toward bulky bikepacking rigs or overly rigid, aero-optimized shapes that punish the rider, Look Cycle has decided to rewrite the rules. Straight from their historic headquarters in Burgundy, France, comes the brand-new G85 CezalRS—the high-performance, race-focused evolution of the Cezal platform, built not to sit pretty on a showroom floor, but to hunt down segment PRs and stand on top of podiums.
1. The Diet & The Stiffness: High-Modulus Carbon HM
The beating heart of the CezalRS lies in a radical engineering overhaul of the frame. Drawing on priceless know-how inherited from elite road racing (and matching the rigorous Zedler tests of Look's multi-winning 795 BladeRS road machine), this RS version delivers:
Featherlight stats: The naked frame hits the scales at just 1,000 grams (size M), saving a massive 200g compared to the standard Cezal.
Bulletproof strength: A structure engineered to withstand impact forces 50% higher than standard ISO requirements.
Explosive power transfer: The headtube rigidity hits a Zedler score of 94, while the bottom bracket shell gains a +19% increase in stiffness, guaranteeing brutal sprints and instant acceleration on punchy climbs.
2. Real-World Aero vs. Control: Look’s Deliberate Choice
While many brands chase wind-tunnel metrics using deep-section tubes that compromise handling, Look made a firm stance: aerodynamics matter where it actually counts (cockpit and rider position), but in gravel, real speed comes from control.
Simulations on a 146km gravel race show that pure aero frames save a meager 137 seconds on paper, but a rigid, hard-to-handle bike costs 63 to 84 seconds in technical descents and another 60 to 100 seconds in lost pedaling momentum over chatter bumps. To combat this, the rear end utilizes the 3D Wave Flex System, filtering out 15% of vertical vibrations without sacrificing lateral power transfer or forcing riders to run overly wide tires at the expense of efficiency.
3. Race-Ready Geometry and Clearance
The geometry pulls the best from Look's racing pedigree, featuring a sharp front end and ultra-short 425mm chainstays.
Tire Clearance: It accommodates rubber up to 57mm in the front and 50mm in the rear with a 1x setup (capped at 45mm for 2x drivetrains). The frame is also fully optimized for gravel suspension forks with up to 60mm of travel.
Pro Standards: Built around a T47 threaded bottom bracket, UDH universal derailleur hanger, 12mm thru-axles, flat-mount 160mm disc brakes, and a 27.2mm carbon seatpost.
4. Field-Tested and Validated by Pros
This isn't just a lab exercise. The G85 CezalRS was put through absolute hell by top American gravel pro Russell Finsterwald, who piloted it to victory at the Belgian Waffle Ride Arizona and secured a top-20 finish at the brutal The Traka 360.
"Being part of the development of the G85 CezalRS and taking it straight to victory in demanding races showed me what this bike is truly capable of," stated Finsterwald. "It responds instantly when you attack, and it's so predictable in its handling that you stay relaxed and fast for hours on the roughest dirt. You never feel forced to back off."
5. Specs, Lineup, and Official Pricing
The new Look G85 CezalRS is hand-assembled in Nevers, France, and backed by a lifetime warranty. It launches with the following pricing structure:
G85 CezalRS Frameset (Color: Raw Carbon / Chrome Orange): €3,290
Includes frame, Token T47 bottom bracket, flat-mount 160mm hardware, and LOOK LS1 27.2mm carbon seatpost.
G85 CezalRS SRAM Force XPLR 1x (Color: Hypershift Blue): €6,990
Total weight 8.3 kg; features a 40T chainring, Deda Superzero Carbon handlebar with fully integrated Superbox stem, Fulcrum Sharq C25 42mm wheels, and Hutchinson Touareg Race 700x45c tires.
G85 CezalRS SRAM RED XPLR 1x (Color: Chrome Orange & Black UD): €8,990
The flagship build weighing 7.9 kg; features a 44T aero chainring, LOOK Aero Carbon RS 3 integrated cockpit, Fulcrum Sharq C25 42mm wheels, and Hutchinson Touareg Race 700x45c tires.
The Cyclonline.com Unfiltered Verdict
"Look didn't compromise for the casual Sunday cruiser. The G85 CezalRS is a scalpel crafted for racers and riders who demand elite performance from a gravel platform. Stiff where it counts, smart at damping vibration, and backed by a race pedigree certified by the pros. If you want a gravel machine that never asks for excuses—neither on tarmac nor down technical descents—the French brand has nailed it."